by Randy Miller Held at Albertus Magnus College, the National Prep Showcase is hosted by Adam Finklestein of the New England Recruiting Report. Its purpose is to provide a high level competition and maximum exposure high school basketball players. We were thoroughly impressed with the events organization, and the fact teams from as far as […]

Held at Albertus Magnus College, the National Prep Showcase is hosted by Adam Finklestein of the New England Recruiting Report. Its purpose is to provide a high level competition and maximum exposure high school basketball players. We were thoroughly impressed with the events organization, and the fact teams from as far as Wisconsin and Florida came to participate.

Here are the top seniors who stood out last weekend.

Derrick Bruce, 6’3, G, Max My Game Academy (FL)

Derrick Bruce had a very good showing this weekend in a victory over Bridgton Academy, and in a close loss to New Hampton Prep. The slender combo consistently used his greyhound-like speed and separation moves to get by his defender and get to the cup. Bruce was also able to attack by using counter moves if a defender cut him off. While his game is tailored more for scoring, the Cali king showed he could get his teammates involved in transition or in the half court. Defensively, Bruce has the tools to be a good on-ball defender. With some added muscle, Bruce should be ready to contribute at Oregon State. .

Ahmad Caver, 6’1, PG, St. John’s Northwest Military Academy (WI)

While St. John’s took a huge L to Brewster, it most definitely wasn’t due to the play of Ahmad Caver. Going up against a gang of high major guards, the Old Dominion recruit showed that he could certainly hold his own. An explosive athlete, Ahmad was able to blow by defenders to the rack, yet also keep them honest with his outside jumper. Not a selfish player, he was forced to take on more of a scoring role, but showed off his court vision when the opportunity presented itself. With continued improvement, Caver is a guy that you’ll be hearing a lot from at ODU.

Kobie Eubanks, 6’5, SG, Elev8 Sports Institute (FL)

Kobie Eubanks can score the basketball. Opposing defenders found this out when he went for 37 points in a heated battle against New Hampton Prep. Although his team didn’t secure the victory, Eubanks showed the crowd why Baylor coveted the young man from Ft. Lauderdale. He shot the ball exceptionally well, hitting what many basketball purists consider a lost art- the midrange jump shot. Eubanks already possesses a strong frame which allows him to score in the post and absorb contact when driving to the basket. Look for Eubanks to be in the mix when he suits up for Baylor next year.

Aaron Falzon, 6’8, F, Northfield Mount Hermon (MA)

Mr. Versatility himself. If you didn’t know who Aaron Falzon was before this showcase, you certainly did by the time it was over. Falzon lead his team to victories over Lee Academy and Hargrave Military Academy while dropping 29 & 9, and 28 & 14 respectively. A long, athletic, forward with an excellent motor, Falzon presented matchup problems the entire weekend. If he didn’t score in the paint, he knocked down shots behind the arc. Defensively, he should be able to guard both forward positions at the next level due to his toughness and length. If he continues to work on his handle & adds strength, Falzon should have a nice career at Northwestern.

Kealen Ives, 5’9, PG, Putnam Science Academy (CT)

In a game where size usually matters, it’s was fun to see the smallest player on the court control the action. Kealen Ives epitomized the word floor general as he guided his team to victory over IMG Academy. Ives showcased everything a coach would want from a point guard: leadership, good decision making & selflessness. His speed let him push the tempo on make or misses, and create scoring opportunities for himself and others. On the defensive end, kid from Providence was a ball hawk. He stayed in his stance, and pressured the ball ninety-four feet if called to do so. This kind of play and characteristics should make him a contributor once he gets to Rider.

JaQuan Lyle, 6’5, PG, IMG Academy (FL)

What college basketball coach wouldn’t love to have a 6’5 physical point guard? How about the same guard, but add in the ability to get their shot off and score at will? Well these ingredients are what JaQuan Lyle exemplifies. Having never seen him play before, I was pleasantly surprised by how crafty and shifty he was with the ball. Lyle did most of his damage by getting to the basket, but showed that he was more than capable of stroking it from deep. Lyle also played solid defense. LSU, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio St and Xavier are pursuing the senior guard.

Danjel Purifoy, 6’7, SF, Hargrave Military Academy (VA)

Danjel Purifoy may very well be the total package. If there were a prototype for basketball players, Purifoy would be it. The small forward is physically capable of guarding 3 positions at the collegiate level. Purifoy played good on ball defense, and used his long arms and active hands to get deflections and steals. Offensively, Danjel has plenty of tools to get the job done. He scored by hitting threes, mid-range jumpers, or floaters over taller defenders. When he wasn’t putting in work from the perimeter, Purifoy played ruggedly in the paint scoring on drives and put backs. The Alabaman repeatedly finished through contact and got to the line. Bruce Pearl surely got a gem of a player when Purifoy chose Auburn.

Kamau Stokes 5’11, PG, Fork Union Military Academy (VA)

Kamau Stokes wants you to know that he is a point guard. He may be a point guard who scores exceptionally well, but make no mistake- Kamau Stokes is a point guard. As one of many unsigned seniors at the event, no one helped himself more (33 points in a loss against Notre Dame Prep then 28 points 5 assists in a win over St. Thomas Moore) Stokes has an excellent handle that allows him to create space and get by his defender. The Baltimore native is also deadly from downtown. Stokes has the quickness and long arms to make life troublesome for opposing offensive guards. Aside from productivity, Stokes displayed leadership qualities needed at the position that will help him excel at the next level. Stokes currently holds offers from Bradley, Florida International, Louisiana Tech, Fairfield, & Cal-Fullerton.

The unofficial jump off to high school basketball in the northeast is the National Prep Showcase. Bringing talent in from all over the country, the event offers the type of competitive environment that you love to see early in the year. Flooded with many post-graduates, the NPS has a blend of young talent looking to […]

The unofficial jump off to high school basketball in the northeast is the National Prep Showcase. Bringing talent in from all over the country, the event offers the type of competitive environment that you love to see early in the year. Flooded with many post-graduates, the NPS has a blend of young talent looking to play against elite competition and guys play an extra year of high school to earn that elusive D-1 ‘ship or improve their looks. Guys such as Nerlens Noel, Andre Drummond, Michael Carter-Williams, Mitch McGary, and TJ Warren all put on a show at the NPS before taking their talents to the league. The hospitality is great, too. While the legendary media room was no longer in existence this year, accurate rosters and box scores were provided after each game and all of the players were available to the media outside of the locker rooms following each contest. As a whole, there wasn’t much more you could ask for out of an early season event.

Here are a few of the top underclassmen who caught our eye at the 2014 National Prep Showcase:

Hamadou Diallo, 6-4, SG, Putnam Science Academy (CT), 2017

A straight pogo stick, Hamidou Diallo got the crowd hyped when he went all up on a nameless defender’s back for a tip- dunk on opening night and kept his strong play up from there. The NYC‎ product was a beast on the glass for a guard, showed a nice pull-up, and was a threat to dunk on you anytime that he was near the rack. The sophomore is going to have to continue to develop his handle and sure up his J, but he already has offers to represent Queens at the high major level.

Travis Atson, 6-5, SG/SF, South Kent (CT), 2016

With no shortage of swag, Travis Atson shut the gym down with his ridiculous dunk on a 7-footer who we won’t name (see video above). The Brooklyn native can shoot it from deep, is deceptively creative off of the dribble, and is downright fearless attacking the rim. The competitive nature that he brings to the table makes him a guy you’d like to have on any team, which is why Depaul, Duquesne, and Towson offered him scholarships immediately after his game on Sunday.

Makai Ashton-Langford, 6-2, PG, Cushing Academy (MA), 2017

In his only game at NPS, Ashton-Langford definitely balled out. With blazing speed and sneaky bounce, he surprised many with how easily he was able to get into the paint and convert.‎ Combine that with the ability to hit open J’s and some legit court vision, you see why schools such as Providence and Boston College have already put scholarships on the table.

A.J. Brodeur, 6-9, PF, Northfield Mount Hermon (MA), 2016

Most of the other guys on this list put up bigger numbers, but A.J. Brodeur did a lot of the things that don’t show up on the stat sheet to pace Northfield Mount Hermon to a 2-0 showing on the weekend. He impacted the game with his super intense play, was all over the floor for loose balls, and showed off his skill level with the work that he did out of the high post. High IQ guys with his combination of motor and skill don’t come around too often, which is why virtually the whole Ivy League, George Washington, UMASS, and Davidson offered him before his junior campaign.

Tremont Waters, 5-9, PG, South Kent (CT), 2017

While he isn’t incredibly blessed in the height department, Waters has some serious game to make up for it. Owning an incredibly high IQ, he made pinpoint passes, made great decisions with the rock in his hands, and finished in the paint amongst the trees. His ability to shoot the ball from NBA range also sets him apart, making him one of the very best point guards nationally in the 2017 class.

Eddie Ekiyor, 6-9, PF, New Hampton School (NH), 2016

A guy who we first caught on the EYBL circuit with CIA Bounce, Ekiyor has now made himself a full time fixture in the US prep scene. Coming off the bench at New Hampton, he primarily made his impact on the game on D. The super long power forward rotates well, provides a formidable shot blocking presence, and rebounds his area well. The U, Vanderbilt, and Virginia Tech have offered, but expect more to join as his offensive game continues to develop.

Jovan Grujic, 7-0, C, South Kent (CT), 2016

Looking like a straight up grown man out there, Jovan Grujic set the hardest screens of anyone in New Haven. Not just a brute on the hardwood, he showed his skill level via a flurry of post moves on the block and ability to shoot the ball all the way out to the high school three point line. Grujic has plenty of experience, having come up with Partizan (Serbia’s top team) and while he already earned an offer from Fordham based off of his play, expect big time programs to enter the picture very soon.

Tyrique Jones, 6-8, PF/C, Vermont Academy (VT), 2016

An absolute monster on the court, Tyrique Jones showed why he is arguably the best rebounder in the junior class. He controlled the paint, rebounded outside of his area, and sent two shots that he blocked all the way to the wall. Tyrique is still very much a work in progress on the offensive end, but his size and defensive prowess should make him one of the 50 best juniors in the country.

The National Prep Showcase has long been the unofficial jump-off to the high school basketball season. The best of the best in post-grad hoops descend to Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, CT, for an event that often has just as many college coaches as fans. Each year, players go from unknown to high-major, from unranked to the top-150. This year was no different.

There weren’t the top 10-ranked players who we’re used to seeing out of New England’s finest prep schools, but across the board, the talent was legit as ever. As always, director Adam Finkelstein brought all of the powers in his region. Games were incredibly competitive, new players emerged, and plenty of others burst onto the scene. At the National Prep Showcase, players were not only fighting for victories, but were also fighting for scholarship offers.

Here is a look at a few of the standouts at the 2013 National Prep Showcase:

Isaac Copeland, 6-9, PF, Brewster Academy (NH), 2014

Brewster went 2-0 on the weekend and was led by the stellar play of Georgetown recruit Isaac Copeland. The skilled, face-up 4-man shot it well from mid-range, threw down a number of nasty dunks in the paint, and even stepped out to hit a three-pointer. It’s truly hard to imagine that just a year and a half ago, Copeland was riding the pine for Ravenscroft out of Raleigh. Fast forward and this agile forward looks destined to fit the Hoyas’ system perfectly, a la Jeff Green.

Michal Cekovsky, 7-0, C/PF, Canarias Basketball Academy (Spain), 2014

Cekovsky was undoubtedly the hottest name of the Showcase. A skilled 7-footer, Cekovsky came over without a scholarship offer and left with the likes of Arizona and Louisville leaving offers on the table. He is a great passer from the high post, can shoot the ball out to the three-point line, and is incredibly fluid in the post. One mid-major college coach compared him to Dirk Nowitzki and while that’s a bit far fetched at this point, you could certainly see some similarities as far as style of play. Michal inked with Adriatic power Partizan early in his career, but has opted to go the college route before playing a pro game.

Kaleb Joseph, 6-2, PG, Cushing Aacademy (MA), 2014

The nightcap of the National Prep Showcase left few in the gym, but the ones who stuck around got to see Kaleb Joseph ball out. Pouring in 37 points against Canarias, the future Syracuse lead guard brought out his full repertoire. He got to the line at will, was automatic from mid-range, and finished in the paint among the 7-foot trees. Tyler Ennis is having an outstanding freshman campaign, but Joseph showed that he will have no problem playing alongside him in the backcourt.

Aaron Falzon, 6-8, PF, Northfield Mount Hermon (NH), 2015

At most events, the best shooter usually isn’t the guy who is diving all over the floor like a maniac. At the National Prep Showcase, things were different. Falzon got things popping off on the opening night by shooting the lights out en route to 37 points, including 9 three-pointers. He also rebounded the hell out of the ball and helped lead an extremely well coached Northfield Mount Hermon team by example. NMH looks to defend its NEPSAC crown and if they hope to repeat, this legit junior will be essential.

Mustapha Heron, 6-6, SG/SF, Wilbraham & Monson (MA), 2016

If you stuck around for the nightcap on Saturday (there weren’t many), you knew who the top sophomore at the NPS was. Heron poured in 35 points and 10 rebounds, not only making it look easy, but doing it in an efficient manner. Playing all three perimeter positions, he used his size to see over the top of the D to drop dimes and seemingly finished everything around the cup.

Matz Stockman, 7-2, Canarias Basketball Academy (Spain), 2014

A true back-to-the-basket center, the native of Norway drew a buzz in the States when he seemingly committed to Louisville out of nowhere. Well, they got a good one. The lefty is extremely coordinated for his size, is automatic with his jump hook going towards his right shoulder, and is athletic enough to dunk anything he gets in the paint. Matz is going to have to keep working to fit in with Louisville’s frenetic up and down pace, but talent wise, he’s ready to step on the floor and contribute at the high major level.

Donovan Mitchell, 6-3, SG, Brewster Academy (NH), 2015

One of the hotter names on the circuit early this season was Donovan Mitchell, and he lived up to all of the hype at the NPS. The explosive athlete had some absurd Dwyane Wade-esque takes to the rack, played lockdown D, and got the crowd hyped with his aerial attack on the rim. The NYC product has offers from schools in just about every conference in the country, and will only continue to blow up more playing on the national level with Brewster.

Derrick “DJ” Clayton, 6-6, SF, Elev8 Prep (FL), 2014

One of Oakland’s finest headed to Florida to get his game and academics right, showing that he could go with the nation’s finest in New Haven. He straight took over games, both with his slashing and ability to bomb three pointers from deep. Clayton created his own shot on anyone, has great size for a wing, and put the clamps on whoever he guarded outside. Western Kentucky has always been known to grab a sleeper or two, and Derrick certainly fits the mold.

Tavarius Shine, 6-6, SF, Fishburne Military Academy (VA), 2014

Players come to the NPS to get exposure and get scholarship offers; Shine did both. The lanky wing from Irving, Texas dropped 27 points on the opening night and then hit a three-pointer at the buzzer of regulation to send the game to OT on Day 2. A lights out shooter, Tavarius shot the ball well from deep, but also kept the D honest with his straight-line slash game. With offers from schools such as LIU-Brooklyn and James Madison at the moment, expect that list to grow as the season goes on.

Jarvis Garrett, 5-11, PG, Notre Dame Prep (MA), 2014

There may not have been a guy in New Haven who did more to raise his stock in the eyes of college coaches than Jarvis Garrett. The Mil-town native shined, averaging 26 points, 6 boards, and 3.5 dimes over his two games at NPS. Garrett made nice reads off the pick and roll, showed off a nice pull-up, and created his own shot very well. Owning a plethora of mid-major offers, expect BCS schools to come calling after the NPS.

Danny Levitt, 6-1, SG, New Hampton (NH), 2015

A gritty guard from north of the border, Danny Levitt showed out at the NPS. His tough D, crazy hustle, and strong takes to the rim made him a valuable asset for New Hampton off of the bench. In fact, Levitt threw down the dunk of the day on Saturday, flying down the lane to bang on two much taller defenders (who will go unnamed). Still early in the process, look for Danny to wind up at a solid DI program by the time it is all said and done.